Tubular: The Year in Television, 2009

December 30, 2009 12:00 AM

Photo: Fox

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Jan. 8: Whooooooo lives in a pineapple under the sea? SpongeBob SquarePants! And he has for 10 years now. To celebrate such a momentous anniversary, Nickelodeon kicked off a year-long celebration for the quirky animated series that has been a kid (and, come on, admit it, adult) favorite for a decade. less

Jan. 8: Whooooooo lives in a pineapple under the sea? SpongeBob SquarePants! And he has for 10 years now. To celebrate such a momentous anniversary, Nickelodeon kicked off a year-long celebration for the quirky ... more

Jan. 15: William Petersen appears for the last time as Gil Grissom on C.S.I., and is replaced by Laurence Fishburne. No one notices except for the 60 billion people that tune in each week.

Jan. 15: William Petersen appears for the last time as Gil Grissom on C.S.I., and is replaced by Laurence Fishburne. No one notices except for the 60 billion people that tune in each week.

Photo: CBS Photos

Jan. 15: William Petersen appears for the last time as Gil... Photo-1300326.19846 - Houston Chronicle

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Feb. 20: When Conan O'Brien replaced David Letterman on NBC's Late Night show, no one thought it would last. This gangly red-headed television writer was deemed to weird, too unknown to possibly helm the late-night show made so popular by Letterman. And sure enough, Conan was replaced -- some 16 years later when he left to take over the biggest prize in late night television: The Tonight Show. On this, his final episode as host of Late Night, Conan O'Brien released Abe Vigoda into the "wild," was joined by former sidekick Andy Richter to watch clips from the series' history, and was serenaded by the White Stripes, one of his favorite acts. less

Feb. 20: When Conan O'Brien replaced David Letterman on NBC's Late Night show, no one thought it would last. This gangly red-headed television writer was deemed to weird, too unknown to possibly helm the ... more

March 19: President Obama appears on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno. He is the first sitting American president to appear on a late-night talk show.

March 19: President Obama appears on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno. He is the first sitting American president to appear on a late-night talk show.

Photo: NBC

March 19: President Obama appears on The Tonight Show with Jay... Photo-1300328.19846 - Houston Chronicle

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March 24: The final episode of Battlestar Galactica airs on SciFi. The critically acclaimed sci-fi series ended with the fleet finally arriving on Earth -- some 150,000 years ago. And, as it turns out, maybe we're all Cylons. Twist! less

March 24: The final episode of Battlestar Galactica airs on SciFi. The critically acclaimed sci-fi series ended with the fleet finally arriving on Earth -- some 150,000 years ago. And, as it turns out, maybe ... more

April 2: NBC airs the last episode of ER, ending a remarkable 15-year run. In the show's 15-year history, it was nominated for 123 Emmys, more than any other show in television history, and won 22. The final episode paid homage to the first with a number of parallel story lines and concluded with a long shot of the exterior of County General Hospital, for the first time in the series. less

April 2: NBC airs the last episode of ER, ending a remarkable 15-year run. In the show's 15-year history, it was nominated for 123 Emmys, more than any other show in television history, and won 22. The final ... more

May 20: Adam Lambert didn't come out of the closet until after American Idol concluded its 8th season, but his sexuality was not the best-kept secret during the course of the series. And so, though Lambert had neither confirmed nor denied the rumors about his personal life, people on both sides of the political spectrum latched on to the outcome of Idol as though it were a referendum on America's feelings on homosexuality. In the end, nice (straight) boy Kris Allen beat out glamorous (gay) boy Adam Lambert. less

May 20: Adam Lambert didn't come out of the closet until after American Idol concluded its 8th season, but his sexuality was not the best-kept secret during the course of the series. And so, though Lambert had ... more

June 1: Opening with a kicky skit featuring Conan sprinting across America from New York City to his new home in Los Angeles, The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien debuts with Will Ferrell and Pearl Jam as its first guests. less

June 1: Opening with a kicky skit featuring Conan sprinting across America from New York City to his new home in Los Angeles, The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien debuts with Will Ferrell and Pearl Jam as its ... more

June 22: The episode of Jon and Kate Plus Eight in which Jon and Kate announce their separation becomes the most-watched episode of the series. For the next five months, America is held hostage by the feuding couple until the series' end in November. Let us all hope, for the "eight's" sake if not our own, that Jon and Kate now go away for a long long time. less

June 22: The episode of Jon and Kate Plus Eight in which Jon and Kate announce their separation becomes the most-watched episode of the series. For the next five months, America is held hostage by the feuding ... more

Photo: TLC

June 22: The episode of Jon and Kate Plus Eight in which Jon... Photo-1300333.19846 - Houston Chronicle

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July 7: It was huge, it was a spectacle and for some reason Sheila Jackson Lee was there. Michael Jackson's memorial service, viewed by an estimated 1 billion people around the world, also was quite moving. Stevie Wonder's performance of I Never Dreamed You'd Leave in Summer was heartbreaking, as were performances by Lionel Richie and Usher, and no one will forget the moment when Paris Jackson said goodbye to her father as her aunt Janet supported her. less

July 7: It was huge, it was a spectacle and for some reason Sheila Jackson Lee was there. Michael Jackson's memorial service, viewed by an estimated 1 billion people around the world, also was quite moving. ... more

Photo: Associated Press

July 7: It was huge, it was a spectacle and for some reason... Photo-1300334.19846 - Houston Chronicle

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Aug. 4: In what felt like a P.R. stunt, Paula Abdul twittered that she will not be returning to American Idol. A month later, Idol producers announced that Ellen DeGeneres would be filling Crazy Aunt Paula's spot as the fourth judge, surprising just about everyone. Here's to hoping Ellen has been working on her incoherent rambling, as we'll all be missing Ms. Abdul's specific contributions to the biggest show on television. less

Aug. 4: In what felt like a P.R. stunt, Paula Abdul twittered that she will not be returning to American Idol. A month later, Idol producers announced that Ellen DeGeneres would be filling Crazy Aunt Paula's ... more

Aug. 22: The reality television world was shocked when a contestant from VH1's Megan Wants a Millionaire is charged with murdering his ex-wife. An international manhunt ensued, only ending when the suspect, Ryan Jenkins, was discovered dead, having killed himself. VH1 canceled the show, and reality show casting directors everywhere promised to never ever ever cast anyone crazy ever again. Ever. This promise was immediately broken. less

Aug. 22: The reality television world was shocked when a contestant from VH1's Megan Wants a Millionaire is charged with murdering his ex-wife. An international manhunt ensued, only ending when the suspect, ... more

Photo: Associated Press

Aug. 22: The reality television world was shocked when a... Photo-1300336.19846 - Houston Chronicle

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Aug. 28: PBS airs Reading Rainbow for the last time after being on the air for 26 years.

Aug. 28: PBS airs Reading Rainbow for the last time after being on the air for 26 years.

Photo: Associated Press

Aug. 28: PBS airs Reading Rainbow for the last time after being... Photo-1300337.19846 - Houston Chronicle

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Sept. 13: YO, TAYLOR, I'M REALLY HAPPY FOR YOU, I'MA LET YOU FINISH, BUT BEYONCE HAD ONE OF THE BEST VIDEOS OF ALL TIME. And with that, Kayne West became pop-culture's newest villain, Taylor Swift became a pop-culture princess and an Internet meme was born. less

Sept. 13: YO, TAYLOR, I'M REALLY HAPPY FOR YOU, I'MA LET YOU FINISH, BUT BEYONCE HAD ONE OF THE BEST VIDEOS OF ALL TIME. And with that, Kayne West became pop-culture's newest villain, Taylor Swift became a ... more

Sept. 14: So as to keep ratings-favorite Jay Leno around, and to save money on expensive original programming, NBC replaces 5 prime-time hours a week with The Jay Leno Show, which is basically just The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, but at 9 p.m., and no desk. The decision alienates critics, television writers and viewers alike, and the poor ratings have a domino effect on local newscasts, The Tonight Show and Late Night with Jimmy Fallon. less

Sept. 14: So as to keep ratings-favorite Jay Leno around, and to save money on expensive original programming, NBC replaces 5 prime-time hours a week with The Jay Leno Show, which is basically just The Tonight ... more

Sept. 18: The last episode of Guiding Light is broadcast. The soap opera had been the longest-running drama in broadcasting history, having started in radio 1937, and then moving to television in 1952. In the end, Reva and Josh drive off into the sunset together, presumably avoiding any outed bridges along the way. less

Sept. 18: The last episode of Guiding Light is broadcast. The soap opera had been the longest-running drama in broadcasting history, having started in radio 1937, and then moving to television in 1952. In the ... more

Sept. 21: True fact: Maggie Simpson is old enough to buy a drink. The Simpsons begins its 21st season, beating out Gunsmoke as the longest-running prime-time entertainment series in television history.

Sept. 21: True fact: Maggie Simpson is old enough to buy a drink. The Simpsons begins its 21st season, beating out Gunsmoke as the longest-running prime-time entertainment series in television history.

Oct. 1: After thwarting a blackmail attempt, David Letterman admits on The Late Show with David Letterman to having sexual relationships with members of his staff. Letterman apologizes to his family and staff, pokes fun at himself and the terrible (and tacky) situation and manages to come out of the scandal relatively unscathed. Tiger Woods should have taken notes. less

Oct. 1: After thwarting a blackmail attempt, David Letterman admits on The Late Show with David Letterman to having sexual relationships with members of his staff. Letterman apologizes to his family and staff, ... more

Oct. 15: The nation watched in horror for hours as a homemade helium balloon drifted across Colorado, concerned that a 6-year-old boy was somehow on board. As it turns out, not only was the child perfectly safe in his home, but the entire event was a hoax perpetrated by his family, desperate for media attention and their own reality show. Across the country, people abandoned their Kate Gosselin wigs for some tin foil and a more timely Halloween costume. less

Oct. 15: The nation watched in horror for hours as a homemade helium balloon drifted across Colorado, concerned that a 6-year-old boy was somehow on board. As it turns out, not only was the child perfectly safe ... more

Photo: Associated Press

Oct. 15: The nation watched in horror for hours as a homemade... Photo-1300344.19846 - Houston Chronicle

Nov. 19: Oprah Winfrey announces that she will be ending The Oprah Winfrey Show in 2011 to focus on her cable network, OWN. Women of a certain age freak out, but not in the good way they do during one of Winfrey's "Favorite Things" episodes. less

Nov. 19: Oprah Winfrey announces that she will be ending The Oprah Winfrey Show in 2011 to focus on her cable network, OWN. Women of a certain age freak out, but not in the good way they do during one of ... more

Nov. 22: Adam Lambert gives the last performance on the American Music Awards, and in the process, kisses a male keyboardist, grinds dancers' faces into his crotch and molests a female pole dancer. People are shocked! And outraged! In the days that followed, Lambert's scheduled performances on ABC are canceled, and his record debuts at number 3 on the Billboard 200. As they say: no publicity is bad publicity. less

Nov. 22: Adam Lambert gives the last performance on the American Music Awards, and in the process, kisses a male keyboardist, grinds dancers' faces into his crotch and molests a female pole dancer. People are ... more

Dec. 8 CBS announces it is ending As the World Turns on Sept. 17, 2010, after 54 years on television, many of which featured longtime cast member Helen Wagner. The soap opera world throws a highball glass of scotch against a wall and vows revenge less

Dec. 8 CBS announces it is ending As the World Turns on Sept. 17, 2010, after 54 years on television, many of which featured longtime cast member Helen Wagner. The soap opera world throws a highball glass of ... more

Photo: Associated Press

Dec. 8 CBS announces it is ending As the World Turns on Sept.... Photo-1300348.19846 - Houston Chronicle

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Dec. 18 Charlie Gibson leaves as anchor of ABC World News, concluding a 39-year career with ABC. Diane Sawyer replaces him on Dec. 21, becoming the second solo female network anchor.

Dec. 18 Charlie Gibson leaves as anchor of ABC World News, concluding a 39-year career with ABC. Diane Sawyer replaces him on Dec. 21, becoming the second solo female network anchor.